Blue Man Group Boycott

The Latest News

	November 23 , 2005:
	OFL Convention Adopts Resolution
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	November 21 , 2005:
	Blue Man Coalition Makes Presentaion to OFL Convention
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	September 16 , 2005:
	National Union releases letter of support
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	August 11 , 2005:
	Hawaii State AFL-CIO Adopts Blue Man Group Resolution
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	July 20, 2005:
	AFM International Convention Adopts Blue Man Group Resolution
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	June 28, 2005:
	Screen Actors Guild releases letter pledging support
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	June 26, 2005:
	Canuck unions blue over group
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	June 23, 2005:
	Blue Meanies
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	June 20, 2005:
	Protest greets Blue Man's debut
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	June 20, 2005:
	Protesters see red at Blue Man launch
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	June 18, 2005:
	Modified Blue Man protest to go ahead
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	June 17, 2005:
	Ontario Labour Relations Board Decision
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	June 14, 2005:
	"Anti-Blue Man Experience" opening night rally to go ahead despite legal challenges by Blue Man Group
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	June 14, 2005:
	Blue Man production seeks to bar pickets
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	June 10, 2005:
	The Anti-Blue Man Experience
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	June 9, 2005:
	Earth to Blue Man
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	June 5, 2005:
	Blue Men vs. Blue Collars
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	June 3, 2005:
	Amidst Tiff, Blue Men Unveil Cast
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	June 3, 2005:
	Blue sound Man joins protest
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	June 2, 2005:
	Blue Man Group issues legal threats.
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	June 1, 2005:
	An open letter to the Blue Man Group
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	May 27, 2005:
	Delta Chelsea removes all Blue Man Group promotional collateral
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	May 18, 2005:
	Blue Man boycott hurting ticket sales
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	May 5, 2005:
	Maybe you should read this, Blue Man Group
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	May 5, 2005:
	Billbosard slags Blue Man's 'muddy boots'
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	May 5, 2005:
	Unions picket Blue Man theatre
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	May 5, 2005:
	Toronto unions angry at Blue Man Group
	>> more info

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Toronto unions angry at Blue Man Group
CBC - Thursday May 5, 2005

TORONTO - A coalition of entertainment unions in Toronto is upset with the stage act Blue Man Group.

At issue: Blue Man Group's decision not to use union labour for its upcoming Toronto show, which will debut June 7.

The unions say it's unheard-of for a production with 70 performers, musicians and stagehands to open in the city without making sure a portion of the work goes to union members.

They're calling for a boycott of the show unless Blue Man Group agrees to sign union contracts.

On Wednesday afternoon, the coalition held a protest close to the New Yorker Theatre, where the show is scheduled to appear.

For its part, Blue Man Group says it treats its employees like a "family" and offers competitive wages and benefits.

But the coalition – made up of the Canadian Actors' Equity Association, the Toronto Musicians' Association and two locals of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees – doesn't agree.

"Things are not as they appear," the IATSE's Kevin Mahoney said. "Blue Man's wage scales and working conditions may not be at all as they say they are."

Blue Man Group countered with a statement, saying "This boycott is not about social justice, this is a power issue."

Its show is being mounted in co-operation with the entertainment conglomerate Clear Channel, which is renovating the New Yorker in anticipation of a run that could last for years.

Blue Man Group says it is willing to work to ensure labour peace for that period.

The group began in New York as a stage show with performance-art elements. With shaved heads painted bright blue, its mute three-man cast of performers is instantly recognizable.

Blue Man Group has since become a huge business, branching out into other cities and appearing in commercials.

It was also lampooned on the sitcom Arrested Development when Tobias, the character played by David Cross, decided he wanted to audition for a spot in the show – only to end up in a support group for depressed males.

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